Australia PM Abbott defends silence on asylum seekers

Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott has defended his government's refusal to talk about towing asylum seeker boats back to Indonesia.

In recent days officials have refused to comment on reports that Australian naval forces have turned back at least one vessel.

Mr Abbott promised a tough line on the asylum issue when he took office.

Speaking on Network Ten's Breakfast programme he said: "If we were at war we wouldn't be giving out information that is of use to the enemy".